COM101: Informative Presentation (Vincent): Need Citation Help?

Welcome!

This LibGuide connects you with resources to assist with citing your sources. Click on the tabs above to explore style-specific resources.

Citation Management

Butler University Writers' Studio

Vist the Writers' Studio for assistance with every stage of the writing process. Their website also has podcasts and handouts about getting started, writing an essay, and plenty of other writing tasks. Click on the icon above to learn more.

Bottom line: Check with your professor to make sure you use the style required for that class. And whatever style you choose, BE CONSISTENT!

YOU SHOULD CITE WHEN:

Referring to a source and stating someone else's opinions, thoughts, ideas, or research

Using an image or media file that you did not create

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WHEN REFERRING TO A SOURCE, YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS FOR USING IT:

Directly Quoting

Summarizing

Paraphrase

"Which option you should choose depends on how much of a source you are using, how you are using it, and what kind of paper you are writing, since different fields use sources in different ways." Grounds for Argument. When to Quote, Paraphrase, or Summarize a Source. Used under CC BY NC SA

Many different tools exist to assist you in the process of creating a citation entry. There are advantages and challenges to working with these tools.

Common mistakes include:

Selecting the wrong type of information source

Inputting information incorrectly or leaving information out

Misplaced or incorrect punctuation

Improper capitalization

The biggest mistake is in completely trusting a citation generator to make no errors. Make sure you closely review all citations created in this way. You'll also still want to refer to your citation style guide to learn how to format your works cited/reference page.

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Research Papers

"The purpose of a research paper is to synthesize previous research and scholarship with your ideas on the subject. Therefore, you should feel free to use other persons' words, facts, and thoughts in your research paper, but the material you borrow must not be presented as if it were your own creation."